Fiber demarcation box with cable management

ABSTRACT

A telecommunications optical fiber distribution system is disclosed. The system comprises a support structure with an upper end, a lower end, a front side, a rear side, and a longitudinal axis. An input cable carrying an input signal and an output cable carrying an output signal is received into the system through the lower end. A plurality of signal splitters located at the upper end of the support structure split the input signal into a plurality of secondary signals. The system includes a plurality of adapters arranged radially about the longitudinal axis along the front side of the support structure. The adapters connect the secondary signals to the output signal. A cable management structure having portions located both along the front side between the plurality of adapters and the splitters and adjacent the back side manage and direct cables going from the input opening to the splitters and from the splitters to the adapters.

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to provision of optical fibertelecommunications service. More specifically, the present inventionrelates to cable management in a fiber distribution system.

BACKGROUND

Outside plant (OSP) telecommunications equipment, including terminationsand splitters, may be housed in protective enclosures out of doors. Theenclosures may be above-ground. Below-ground solutions are known whichstore the equipment in a below-ground vault. The vault is typicallyaccessible through a top door.

As demand for telecommunications services increases, optical fiberservices are being extended into more and more areas. Often, it is morecost effective to provide for greater service capacity than currentdemand warrants. This will allow a telecommunications service providerto quickly and cost-effectively respond to future growth in demand.Often, optical fiber cables may be extended to a customer's premisesprior to that customer actually requesting or needing service. Suchcables may be extended to premises adjacent the premises of a currentcustomer, as it may be cost effective to extend both cables at the sametime, or the cables may be extended to new building sites inanticipation of the new occupants of those sites requesting fiber opticservice.

Therefore, it is desirable to have a scalable solution for aidingconnection of new customers to existing connections within a piece ofinstalled connection equipment and expansion of the number ofconnections available within the installed equipment. It is alsodesirable to provide for a scalable connection solution that can providefor a high density of connections while using little space, that limitsvisual pollution, and that is reliable and serviceable. In the case ofbelow-ground vault storage, it is desirable that the equipment bereadily accessible as needed by the service technician.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a fiber optic telecommunicationsdistribution system and the management of telecommunications cables.

An input fiber optic signal, carried by an input cable, after beingsplit into secondary signals by splitters, is directed to a cablemanagement area. From the cable management area, the split signals canbe directed to adapters for connection with customer equipment or outputcables if service is desired. If service is not yet desired, the splitsignal cables can be directed to an excess connector storage area whereconnectors terminating these cables are stored and protected until aconnection by the customer is desired. The adapters connecting the splitsignal cables to customer equipment cables are housed in radiallyarranged adapter modules, which are outwardly slidably movable forgaining access to the connections.

According to one embodiment of the invention, an optical fiberdistribution system includes a support structure with an upper end, alower end, a front side, a rear side, and a longitudinal axis. An inputcable carrying an input signal is received through a first openinglocated adjacent the lower end of the support structure and an outputcable carrying an output signal is received through a second openinglocated adjacent the lower end of the support structure. At least onefiber optic splitter located adjacent the upper end of the supportstructure splits each input signal into a plurality of secondarysignals. The distribution system includes a plurality of adaptersarranged radially about the longitudinal axis adjacent the front side ofthe support structure. The adapters connect the secondary signals to theoutput signal. A cable management structure having portions located bothadjacent the front side of the support structure between the pluralityof adapters and the splitters and adjacent the back side of the supportstructure manage and direct cables going from the first opening to thesplitters and from the splitters to the adapters.

A variety of additional inventive aspects will be set forth in thedescription that follows. The inventive aspects can relate to individualfeatures and combinations of features. It is to be understood that boththe foregoing general description and the following detailed descriptionare exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broadinventive concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein arebased.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a fiber optic distribution system,the distribution system shown with a cover of an enclosure of thedistribution system removed to provide access to inner components of thesystem;

FIG. 2 is rear perspective view of the fiber optic distribution systemof FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the fiber optic distributionsystem of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the fiber optic distribution systemof FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a left side elevational view of the fiber optic distributionsystem of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the fiber optic distribution system of FIG.1;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the fiber optic distribution system ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the fiber optic distribution systemof FIG. 1, the distribution system shown with a splitter housing, anexcess connector storage structure, a vertical cable managementstructure, and a horizontal cable management structure separated from asupport frame of the fiber optic distribution system, the splitterhousing, the excess connector storage structure, the vertical cablemanagement structure, and the horizontal cable management structureshown assembled together;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the fiber optic distributionsystem of FIG. 1, the distribution system shown with the splitterhousing, the excess connector storage structure, and the horizontalcable management structure separated from the support frame of the fiberoptic distribution system, the horizontal cable management structureshown separate and the splitter housing and the excess connector storagestructure shown assembled together;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the horizontal cable management structureof the fiber optic distribution system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a splitter module of the fiber opticdistribution system of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 12 is a side view of an adapter assembly of the fiber opticdistribution system of FIG. 1, the adapter assembly being configured tomate with input connectors of the splitter module of FIG. 11, theadapter assembly shown with four dust plugs and two extended dual dustplugs mounted on opposing ends thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to examples of inventive aspects ofthe present disclosure which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be usedthroughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

Referring to FIGS. 1–9, a fiber optic telecommunications distributionsystem 100 having examples of inventive aspects in accordance with thepresent disclosure is illustrated.

Fiber optic distribution system 100 is sealed by an enclosure 102 thatis defined by a base tray 104 and a cover 103 (shown in dashed lines inFIG. 3). In the FIGS., fiber optic telecommunications distributionsystem 100 is shown with the cover 103 of enclosure 102 removed,exposing the inner components of distribution system 100. A coversimilar to the cover that is adapted for use with fiber opticdistribution system 100 is shown and described in commonly owned U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/137,855, filed May 25, 2005, the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Fiber optic distribution system 100 may be mounted in an undergroundvault. The underground vault might be located in an area where fiberoptic connectivity for customers is desired. It should be appreciatedthat the inventive aspects of the disclosure are applicable toabove-ground as well as below-ground applications.

Cover 103 and base tray 104 include mating abutting flanges 105, 106,respectively that are shaped for receiving a V-clamp 108 with an O-ringfor forming a water-tight seal. Such clamps are commonly known in theart. In this manner, any water that might be present in an undergroundvault housing distribution system 100 does not reach the innercomponents of system 100. In addition, trapped air within thecan/bell-jar type sealed enclosure 102 prevents any water in the vaultfrom rising to the level of the splitter modules 110, which arepreferably located toward the top of system 100. The clampingarrangement between base tray 104 and the cover is described in furtherdetail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/137,855. It should benoted that a V-clamp/O-ring arrangement is one of the many possiblesealing techniques that may be used to form a sealed enclosure fordistribution system 100.

Base tray 104 of enclosure 102 includes a mounting bracket 112 attachedto bottom side 114 of base tray 104. Mounting bracket 112 is used tomount enclosure 102 to a sidewall of an underground vault or to asimilar structure. Mounting bracket 112 is formed from two interfittingU-shaped plates 116, 118. First U-shaped plate 116 fixedly attachesfiber distribution system 100 to a sidewall while second U-shaped plate118 pivots with respect to first U-shaped plate 116 to tilt enclosure102 away from the sidewall. In this manner, service persons can accessportions of fiber optic telecommunications distribution system 100 thatare located adjacent the sidewall. A mounting bracket similar tomounting bracket 112 is described in further detail in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/137,855.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1–9, fiber optic distribution system 100includes a top end 120, a bottom end 122, a front side 124, a rear side126, a right side 128 and a left side 130. Fiber optic distributionsystem 100 defines a longitudinal axis L. Adjacent top end 120, fiberoptic distribution system 100 includes a splitter housing 132 (i.e.,splitter chassis or splitter bank). Splitter housing 132 houses aplurality of splitter modules 110 that split an incoming optical signalcarried through an input cable 134 (i.e., a feeder cable, an outsideplant cable, or an OSP cable) into a plurality of secondary signals tobe distributed through an output cable 136 going to customer locations.Mounted on each side 138, 140 of splitter housing 132 is an excessconnector storage structure 142. Excess connector storage structure 142is utilized as a temporary storage space for customers that may not yetbe ready to receive fiber optic service.

Directly below splitter housing 132, fiber optic distribution system 100includes a horizontal cable management structure 144 that is located atfront side 124 of fiber optic distribution system 100. Located belowsplitter housing 132 at rear side 126 of fiber optic distribution system100 is a vertically extending cable management structure 146. Cablemanagement structures 144, 146, respectively, manage and direct thesplit input signals coming from splitters 110 to a plurality of adapters148 located below horizontal cable management structure 144 in frontside 124 of system 100. Adapters 148 are provided in six-pack adaptermodules 150 that are arranged radially generally along front side 124 ofsystem 100. Adapter modules 150 are constructed such that they can beslid out radially for gaining access to the individual connections.Adapters 148 of adapter modules 150 interconnect the split input signalswith the output distribution signals. The internal components of fiberoptic distribution system 100 are generally mounted on a center supportframe 152 extending upwardly from base tray 104. In FIGS. 8 and 9,distribution system 100 is shown with a number of the internalcomponents of system 100 removed to expose support frame 152.

Fiber optic distribution system 100 depicted in FIGS. 1–9 provides adistribution and cable management system that provides a scalablesolution for aiding connection of new customers to existing connectionswithin a piece of installed connection equipment and expansion of thenumber of connections available within the installed equipment. Fiberoptic distribution system 100 provides a location for outside plantfiber optic signals to be split and connected to customer equipmentsignals to provide fiber optic service and connectivity at thecustomer's location.

In distribution system 100 shown in FIGS. 1–9, a multi-fiber input cable134 (i.e., an outside plant cable, a feeder cable, an OSP cable) entersdistribution system 100 through an opening 154 at bottom side 114 ofbase tray 104 (see FIGS. 1–3 and 7–9). Preferably, a sealing arrangementis formed at cable entry opening 154 at bottom side 114 of base tray104. The individual cables 156 of multi-fiber input cable 134 arepreferably terminated with connectors 158. In the illustratedembodiment, such cable terminating connectors 158 are of an SC typeconfiguration. It is anticipated that other types, formats, styles andsizes of telecommunications connectors may be used.

Individual connectorized input cables 156 are directed upwardly throughthe center of support frame 152. Support frame 152 defines a space 160in the center of system 100 for accommodating individual input cables156 extending from base tray 104 to splitter housing 132. As shown inFIGS. 8 and 9, support frame 152 includes holes 162 for mounting theindividual internal components of fiber distribution system 100 tosupport frame 152 with fasteners.

After individual input cables 156 are directed upwardly within supportframe 152, they are guided around a rear radius limiter 164 intosplitter housing 132 (see FIG. 2). Rear radius limiter 164 includesholes 166 for accommodating cable tie down structures (not shown) formanaging cables 156. Within splitter housing 132, individualconnectorized cables 156 are connected to adapter assemblies 168 locatedwithin splitter housing 132.

One of the adapter assemblies 168 is shown in FIG. 12. An adapterassembly 168 includes four integrated adapters 170 for connecting inputcables 156 to input connectors 172 (see FIG. 11) of each splitter module110. Each adapter 170 has a rear end 174 and a front end 176. Adapterassembly 168 is shown in FIG. 12 with a dust plug 178 positioned in rearend 174 of each adapter 170 and an extended dual dust plug 180 insertedwithin front ends 176 of each pair of adapters 170 to seal the interiorof adapters 170 from contaminants. Adapter assemblies 168 are mounted onsplitter housing 132 with mounting screws 182. Adapter assemblies 168are positioned and arranged such that when a splitter module 110 isslidably inserted into splitter housing 132, input connectors 172 ofsplitter modules 110 plug into adapters 170 of adapter assemblies 168.Dust plugs 178, 180 are utilized when there is not a splitter module 110connected to an adapter assembly 168.

One of the splitter modules 110 is shown in FIG. 11. Splitter module 110includes four input connectors 172 that extend along the module body. Inother embodiments, other number of splitter inputs can be utilized. Thefour input connectors 172 are adapted to be connected to adapters 170 ofadapter assembly 168. Once the signal is input into splitter module 110through input connectors 172, each signal is split into thirty-twosignals by internal splitter circuitry within splitter module 110. Thistype of a splitter configuration is called a 1×32 splitter. It should benoted that other splitter configurations such as a 2×16 splitter, a 1×16splitter, etc., could be used in other embodiments depending upon thedesired service. Split signal cables (i.e., secondary cables) 186 arethen directed out of outputs 188 of splitter module 110. In theembodiment shown, each splitter module 110 includes two outputs 188 andeach output 188 is constructed to accommodate sixteen split signalcables 186. Other numbers are also contemplated. Split signal cables 186are also preferably terminated with connectors 158.

Splitter modules 110 include guide flanges 190 for slidably guidingsplitter modules 110 into guide slots 192 formed within splitter housing132. A handle 194 is provided for facilitating slidable insertion andremoval of splitter modules 110 from splitter housing 132. A cantileverarm 196 with tabs 198 is provided on splitter modules 110 for fixedlylocking splitter modules 110 within housing 132 with a snap-fitarrangement. If access to splitter modules 110 is desired, cantileverarm 196 can be elastically flexed and module 110 slid horizontally outof splitter housing 132.

Splitter modules and adapter assemblies similar to those shown hereinare described in greater detail in commonly owned U.S. patentapplication Ser. Nos. 10/980,978, filed Nov. 3, 2004; Ser. No.11/138,063, filed May 25, 2005; and Ser. No. 11/138,889 filed May 25,2005, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

Once split signal cables 186 leave outputs 188 of splitter modules 110,they are directed around a front radius limiter 200 toward rear side 126of fiber distribution system 100 (see FIGS. 1 and 5). Going from frontradius limiter 200 to rear side 126, cables 186 are directed through aset of cable management fingers 202 located between front radius limiter200 and rear radius limiter 164. Once cables 186 are directed tovertical cable management structure 146, cables 186 are guided down acenter lane 204 of vertical cable management structure 146 (see FIGS. 2and 4). From center lane 204, split signal cables 186 are directedeither to the right side 206 or the left side 208 of cable managementstructure 146 and are wrapped around vertical spools 210 to be directedupwardly along sides 212 of cable management structure 146. Once cables186 reach the top of vertical cable management structure 146, they arecascaded around horizontal radius limiters 214 to adapter modules 150.As illustrated in FIG. 10, horizontal radius limiters 214 are formed aspart of a C-shaped (i.e., horse-shoe shaped) horizontal cable managementstructure 144. Cables 186 are connected upper ends 216 of adapters 148housed in radially arranged adapter modules 150.

Fiber distribution system 100 includes two layers of radially arrangedadapter modules 150. Each layer of adapter modules 150 is mounted onadapter module mounts 218 that form a part of support frame 152. Adaptermodule mounts 218 provide structural support for and allow forslidability of adapter modules 150. Adapter module mounts 218 haveradial extensions 220 that form guides or walls 222 for slidablyreceiving adapter modules 150. Adapter modules 150 are radially slidablebetween a retracted position and an extended position. The slidabilityof adapter modules 150 facilitates access to adapters 148 and thecorresponding cable connectors 158 therein. Similar sliding adaptermodules are described in greater detail in commonly owned U.S. Pat. Nos.5,497,444; 5,717,810; and 6,591,051, the disclosures of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

The two adjacently positioned adapter module mounts 218 are configuredsuch that the two layers of adapter modules 150 are positioned in anoffset orientation with respect to each other, allowing for increaseddensity. In the embodiment of fiber distribution system 100 depicted inthe FIGS., each mount 218 is configured to support twelve adaptermodules 150, with the two layers totaling twenty-four adapter modules150. Each adapter module 150 is configured to hold six adapters 148.Thus, fiber optic telecommunications distribution system 100, asdepicted, is able to accommodate a total of one hundred and forty-fourdistribution connections. Other numbers are also contemplated.

For those customers that are not yet ready to receive fiber opticservice, a number of the split signal cables 186 may be directed to anexcess connector storage structure 142 located on sides 138, 140 ofsplitter module housing 132, rather than adapters 148. Excess connectorstorage structure 142 includes a bulkhead 224 that defines mountingslots 226 for mounting connector holders 228. Each connector holder 228may include a plurality of openings 230 for receiving and releasablyholding fiber optic connectors 158. Openings 230 in connector holders228 preferably do not provide a continuous optical path but rather houseand protect a polished end face of an optical fiber within cable 186.This protection may be provided in combination with an endcap (notshown), such as shown in commonly-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/610,325, filed on Jun. 30, 2003, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, a connector holder mayenclose and protect the polished end face of the connector terminatingcable without the need for a protective endcap. Excess connector storagestructure 142 and connector holder 228 are described in greater detailin commonly-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/871,555, filed onJun. 18, 2004, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference.

In distribution system 100 shown in FIGS. 1–9, a multi-fiber outputcable 136 (i.e., customer equipment cable, distribution cable) entersdistribution system 100 through a second opening 232 at bottom side 114of base tray 104 (see FIGS. 1, 3 and 9). Preferably, a sealingarrangement is also formed at this second cable entry opening 232 atbottom side 114 of base tray 104. In one embodiment, multi-fiber outputcable 136 may be formed from a plurality of twelve-cable ribbon cables.In certain embodiments, output cable 136 may include twelve such ribboncables for a total of one hundred and forty-four distribution signals.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 8, and 9, fiber optic distribution systemincludes fan-outs 234 and output cable radius limiters located withinbase tray 104. Once multi-fiber output cable 136 enters enclosure 102through base tray 104, the individual ribbon cables are routed aroundradius limiters 236 toward the outer perimeter of base tray 104 and areseparated into individual distribution cables 238 (see FIG. 3) byfan-outs 234. Individual distribution cables 238 are also preferablyterminated with connectors 158. In the illustrated embodiment, suchcable terminating connectors 158 are SC type connectors. Once terminatedwith connectors 158, individual distribution cables 238 are connected tolower ends 240 of adapters 148 of adapter modules 150. In this manner,distribution cables 238 can be interconnected to split signal cables 186that are connected to upper ends 216 of adapters 148 in adapter modules150 to provide fiber optic connectivity to customers. For thosecustomers who were not ready to receive service previously but are nowready, connectorized split signal cables 186 that are stored in excessconnector storage structure 142 can be removed from excess connectorstorage structure 142 and can be connected to upper ends 216 of adapters148 to provide a connection with distribution cables 238.

It should be noted that for ease of illustration and description, only afraction of the total number of cables, the total number of splitters,the total number of fan-outs, etc. utilized in distribution system 100are shown in the FIGS.

It should also be noted that, although in the foregoing description ofthe fiber distribution system 100, terms such as “upper”, “lower”,“front”, “rear”, “right”, and “left” have been used for ease ofdescription and illustration, no restriction is intended by such use ofthe terms. The fiber optic distribution system 100 can be positioned inany orientation.

Having described the preferred aspects and embodiments of the presentinvention, modifications and equivalents of the disclosed concepts mayreadily occur to one skilled in the art. However, it is intended thatsuch modifications and equivalents be included within the scope of theclaims which are appended hereto.

1. An optical fiber distribution system, comprising: a support structurewith an upper end, a lower end, a front side, a rear side, and alongitudinal axis; a first opening located adjacent the lower end of thesupport structure, the first opening being for receiving an input cablecarrying an input signal and a second opening located adjacent the lowerend of the support structure, the second opening being for receiving anoutput cable carrying an output signal; a fiber optic splitter locatedadjacent the upper end of the support structure, the fiber opticsplitter configured to split the input signal into a plurality ofsecondary signals; a plurality of adapters arranged generally radiallyabout the longitudinal axis adjacent the front side of the supportstructure, each adapter including a first connection end for receiving aconnector terminated to a cable carrying one of the secondary signals,each adapter also including a second connection end for receiving aconnector terminated to the output cable; a first cable managementstructure located adjacent the front side of the support structurebetween the plurality of adapters and the splitter; and a second cablemanagement structure located adjacent the back side of the supportstructure, the first and second cable management structures being fordirecting a cable going from the splitter to an adapter of the pluralityof adapters.
 2. An optical fiber distribution system according to claim1, further comprising a plurality of splitters housed in a splitterhousing, the splitters being slidably insertable and removable from thesplitter housing.
 3. An optical fiber distribution system according toclaim 2, wherein the plurality of splitters are slidably insertable andremovable from the splitter housing in a direction extending generallybetween the front side and the rear side of the support structure.
 4. Anoptical fiber distribution system according to claim 2, wherein eachsplitter of the plurality of splitters includes a flexible cantileverarm with a tab for providing a snap-fit connection with the splitterhousing.
 5. An optical fiber distribution system according to claim 1,further comprising an excess connector storage structure for storing acable carrying one of the secondary signals coming from the splitterthat is not connected to an adapter, the excess connector storagestructure providing a termination location for a cable without providinga continuous optical path for one of the secondary signals.
 6. Anoptical fiber distribution system according to claim 1, wherein thefirst cable management structure includes a plurality of radius limitersthat are arranged generally radially about the longitudinal axisadjacent the front side of the support structure.
 7. An optical fiberdistribution system according to claim 1, wherein the second managementstructure includes a plurality of radius limiters in a stackedarrangement parallel to the longitudinal axis adjacent the rear side ofthe support structure.
 8. An optical fiber distribution system accordingto claim 1, wherein the input cable, the cable carrying one of thesecondary signals, and the output cable are terminated with SC typeconnectors.
 9. An optical fiber distribution system according to claim1, further comprising two stacked layers of adapters arranged generallyradially about the longitudinal axis adjacent the front side of thesupport structure.
 10. An optical fiber distribution system according toclaim 9, wherein the two stacked layers of adapters are radially offsetwith respect to each other such that the adapters on a bottom layer ofadapters do not axially align with the adapters on a top layer.
 11. Anoptical fiber distribution system according to claim 1, wherein theplurality of adapters are housed in adapter modules, the adaptersmodules being movable generally radially outwardly from the longitudinalaxis.
 12. An optical fiber distribution system according to claim 9,wherein each of the two layers of adapters includes seventy-twoadapters, wherein the adapters are housed in radially arranged moduleshaving six adapters each.
 13. A support structure for a fiber opticdistribution system, comprising: a generally circular base trayincluding a first cable management structure, the base tray including afirst opening for receiving an input cable and a second opening forreceiving an output cable; a center support structure extending from thebase tray, the center support structure defining a longitudinal axis andincluding a front side, a rear side, an upper end and a lower end; anadapter mount mounted to the center support structure, the adapter mountincluding mounting locations for mounting adapters in a radialarrangement with respect to the longitudinal axis generally along thefront side of the center support structure; a splitter housing mountedadjacent the upper end of the center support structure, the splitterhousing including guide slots for slidably receiving splitter modules; asecond cable management structure located between the adapter mount andthe splitter housing, the second cable management structure including aplurality of radius limiters arranged generally radially about thelongitudinal axis generally along the front side of the center supportstructure; a third cable management structure located adjacent the rearside of the center support structure, the third cable managementstructure including a plurality of radius limiters in a stackedarrangement parallel to the longitudinal axis.
 14. A support structureaccording to claim 13, wherein the adapter mount includes mountinglocations for mounting two stacked layers of adapters arranged generallyradially about the longitudinal axis adjacent the front side of thecenter support structure.
 15. A support structure according to claim 13,further comprising an excess connector storage structure for storing acable carrying a fiber optic signal, the excess connector storagestructure providing a termination location for the cable withoutproviding a continuous optical path for the fiber optic signal.
 16. Asupport structure according to claim 13, wherein the center supportstructure defines a space for accommodating cables extending between thebase tray and the splitter housing located adjacent the upper end of thecenter support structure.
 17. An optical fiber distribution system,comprising: a support structure with an upper end, a lower end, a frontside, a rear side, and a longitudinal axis; a first opening locatedadjacent the lower end of the support structure, the first opening beingfor receiving an input cable carrying an input signal and a secondopening located adjacent the lower end of the support structure, thesecond opening being for receiving an output cable carrying an outputsignal; a plurality of fiber optic splitters located adjacent the upperend of the support structure, each fiber optic splitter configured tosplit the input signal into a plurality of secondary signals, each fiberoptic splitter including an input location for receiving a connectorterminated to the input cable and an output location for outputting acable carrying one of the secondary signals; a plurality of adaptersarranged generally radially about the longitudinal axis adjacent thefront side of the support structure, each adapter including a firstconnection end for receiving the connector terminated to the cablecarrying one of the secondary signals, each adapter also including asecond connection end for receiving a connector terminated to the outputcable; an excess connector storage structure for storing a cablecarrying one of the secondary signals coming from the splitters that isnot connected to an adapter, the excess connector storage structureproviding a termination location for a cable without providing acontinuous optical path for one of the secondary signals; a first cablemanagement structure located adjacent the back side of the supportstructure, the first cable management structure including a plurality ofradius limiters in a stacked arrangement parallel to the longitudinalaxis of the support structure, the first cable management structurebeing for directing a cable going from the output location of thesplitters to either an adapter of the plurality of adapters or to theexcess connector storage structure; and a second cable managementstructure located adjacent the front side of the support structurebetween the plurality of adapters and the splitter, the second cablemanagement structure including a plurality of radius limiters that arearranged generally radially about the longitudinal axis of the supportstructure, the second cable management structure being for directing acable going from the first cable management structure to an adapter ofthe plurality of adapters.
 18. A fiber distribution system wherein theplurality of adapters and the plurality of fiber optic splitters arehoused in modules that are slidably movable in a horizontal directiongenerally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the supportstructure.
 19. A method of managing cables within a fiber distributionsystem that includes a support structure with an upper end, a lower end,a front side, a rear side, and a longitudinal axis, the methodcomprising the steps of: directing an input cable carrying an inputfiber optic signal to an input location of a fiber optic splitter, thefiber optic splitter configured to split the input fiber optic signalinto a plurality of secondary signals; directing a cable carrying one ofthe secondary signals from an output location of the fiber opticsplitter around a radius limiter from the front side of the supportstructure toward the rear side of the support structure; directing thecable carrying one of the secondary signals to a first cable managementstructure, and, after directing the cable downwardly toward the lowerend of the support structure through the first cable managementstructure, wrapping the cable around a radius limiter of a plurality ofvertically stacked radius limiters of the first cable managementstructure and directing the cable upwardly toward the upper end of thesupport structure; and directing the cable carrying one of the secondarysignals from the first cable management structure to either an excessconnector storage structure located adjacent the upper end of thesupport structure or to a second cable management structure, wherein acable directed to the second cable management structure is directeddownwardly to an adapter around a radius limiter of a plurality ofradius limiters arranged generally radially about the longitudinal axis,the adapter providing a connection location between the cable carryingone of the secondary signals and an output cable.
 20. A method accordingto claim 19, further comprising the steps of: disconnecting a cableconnected to the excess connector storage structure; storing a slack ofthe cable created by disconnecting the cable from the excess connectorstorage structure by unwrapping or wrapping the cable around a radiuslimiter of the plurality of vertically stacked radius limiters of thefirst cable management structure; and directing the cable from the firstcable management structure to the second cable management structure andaround a radius limiter of the second cable management structure to anadapter.